Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the AFSA decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Albania.
Albania has a real, dedicated crypto law. Law No. 66/2020 on Financial Markets Based on Distributed Ledger Technology gives the AFSA a proper licensing regime for DLT and virtual-asset operators, with technology certified by AKCESK. One of Europe's earliest crypto statutes, in an EU-candidate country with a 15% corporate rate. We build that file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Albania in brief
One of Europe's earliest dedicated crypto laws.
Albania was an early European mover on crypto. Law No. 66/2020 on Financial Markets Based on Distributed Ledger Technology - the DLT law - was adopted on 21 May 2020 and entered into force on 1 September 2020, putting Albania among the first countries in Europe to give crypto activity a purpose-built statute. The law covers DLT exchanges, custody and storage of digital tokens and virtual coins, the issuance of tokens through initial and security token offerings, digital token agents, innovative service providers and collective investment. The AFSA - the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority - licenses and supervises operators, while AKCESK, the national authority for electronic certification and cyber-security, certifies the technology and security side.
This is a real licence under a dedicated Act, not a company registered into a grey zone. Albania is an EU-candidate country, and its financial framework is expected to align toward EU standards over time - which points the regime in the direction of the bloc's rules as accession advances. For now the DLT law is a national Albanian licence: it does not passport into the EU, and we say so plainly. What it offers is an early, defined statute, a named regulator, a 15% corporate rate and a lower operating cost base than most of Western Europe. We build the file end to end, from the Albanian company through AFSA licensing and AKCESK certification.
Albania has a dedicated crypto law: Law No. 66/2020 on DLT-based financial markets, in force since 1 Sep 2020. The AFSA licenses operators and AKCESK certifies the technology.
It is a national Albanian licence, not an EU passport - Albania is an EU candidate aligning toward EU standards over time. Corporate tax is a flat 15%, on a lower cost base.
The regime
A DLT Law licence, scoped to your activity.
Law No. 66/2020 covers a defined set of DLT and virtual-asset activities, licensed by the AFSA and certified for technology by AKCESK. The first job is scoping which your model needs; the second is building the file to their standard. We do both.
Law 66/2020 covers a defined set of DLT activities - AFSA licenses, AKCESK certifies. We scope which your model needs.
01 - DLT LAW · EXCHANGE & CUSTODY
Exchange, custody, trading
The core of the law: operating a DLT exchange, custody and storage of digital tokens and virtual coins, and trading and transfer for clients - licensed by the AFSA with technology certified by AKCESK.
The core of the law: operating a DLT exchange, custody and storage of digital tokens and virtual coins, and trading and transfer for clients - licensed by the AFSA with technology certified by AKCESK.
- ✓Operating a DLT exchange
- ✓Custody and storage of tokens and coins
- ✓Trading and transfer for clients
- ✓AML/CFT to AFSA standards, with reporting
- ✓AKCESK technology and security certification
- ✓Ongoing AFSA supervision
02 - DLT LAW · ISSUANCE & SERVICES
Early EU moverToken issuance and DLT services
The law also reaches token issuance and specialist roles: issuing digital tokens and virtual coins through initial and security token offerings, the digital token agent, the innovative service provider and collective digital-token investment.
The law also reaches token issuance, the digital token agent, innovative service providers and collective investment.
- ✓Token issuance via ICO and STO
- ✓Digital token agent
- ✓Innovative service provider
- ✓Collective digital-token investment
- ✓Disclosure and investor-protection duties
- ✓One financial regulator - the AFSA
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The AFSA scopes requirements by category and AKCESK certifies the technology; the real investment is the file - capital, substance and documentation are scoped individually in your quote.
Why Albania
An early statute, on European ground.
The framework rests on the DLT Law 66/2020, licensed by the AFSA and certified by AKCESK - in an EU-candidate country with a lower cost base.
✓
A dedicated, early law
Albania adopted a purpose-built DLT statute in 2020, among the first in Europe. You build against a real Act with a defined regulator, not an improvised reading of general rules.A purpose-built DLT statute from 2020.
✓
A named regulator, plus certification
The AFSA licenses and supervises operators on the financial side, while AKCESK certifies the technology and cyber-security. Two authorities, one coherent file - the substance behind a credible licence.AFSA licenses; AKCESK certifies the tech.
✓
EU-candidate trajectory
Albania is negotiating EU accession, and its framework is expected to align toward EU standards over time. The direction of travel points at the bloc's rules as the process advances.Aligning toward EU standards over time.
✓
A lower cost base
Salaries, office and running costs sit below most of Western Europe, while the jurisdiction stays inside the European orbit. Real substance is affordable to build and keep.Below Western Europe, inside its orbit.
✓
15% corporate tax
A flat 15% corporate rate - one of Europe's lower headline figures, and a clean number to model for the licensed business.One of Europe's lower headline figures.
✓
A national licence, stated honestly
The DLT law is an Albanian national licence, not an EU passport - it does not grant MiCA rights today. We are clear about what it is and what it is not, so the structure is built on facts.Not an EU passport - we say so plainly.
How it compares
How Albania differs from other routes.
Albania is the early-statute, lower-cost, EU-candidate option - a national licence rather than an EU passport. The honest comparison is below.
Albania vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Albania | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | DLT Law 66/2020 (AFSA) | MiCA or national regimes |
| EU status | Candidate, aligning | EU members or third countries |
| Cost base | Lower operating cost | Varies |
| Corporate tax | 15% | Ranges widely |
Regulatory regime
AlbaniaDLT Law 66/2020 (AFSA)
Other jurisdictionsMiCA or national regimes
EU status
AlbaniaCandidate, aligning
Other jurisdictionsEU members or third countries
Cost base
AlbaniaLower operating cost
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Corporate tax
Albania15%
Other jurisdictionsRanges widely
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | DLT Law licence (AFSA) | 15% corporate | Early statute, national licence |
 Malta | MiCA CASP (MFSA) | 35% (refund regime) | Established, EU passport |
 Lithuania | MiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT | Fast, strict AML |
 Czech Republic | MiCA CASP (ČNB) | 21% CIT | Fast, predictable |
AlbaniaLicense typeDLT Law licence (AFSA)
Taxation15% corporate
RequirementsEarly statute, national licence
MaltaLicense typeMiCA CASP (MFSA)
Taxation35% (refund regime)
RequirementsEstablished, EU passport
LithuaniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT
RequirementsFast, strict AML
Czech RepublicLicense typeMiCA CASP (ČNB)
Taxation21% CIT
RequirementsFast, predictable
Before you apply
Requirements for the DLT Law licence.Requirements for the DLT Law licence.
The AFSA reviews a licence file to a real financial-services standard, and AKCESK certifies the technology. The checklist below is what a passing file is built around - to Law 66/2020 and the authorities' rules.
01
Albanian entity - a locally incorporated sh.p.k. with genuine presence and management in Albania.
02
Licensed activity scope - the DLT-law categories your model needs, defined and applied for.
03
Fit & proper management - competent directors and officers with clean records.
04
Capital - as the AFSA requires for your category and risk profile.
05
AML/CFT framework - KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to the GDPML, with a named compliance officer.
06
Technology certification - AKCESK certification of security systems, key management and cyber-resilience.
07
Custody and safeguarding - segregation of client tokens and coins, custody policy and storage design.
08
Governance - ownership disclosed to UBOs, conflicts, complaints and investor-protection procedures.
09
Business plan - services, target markets, source of capital, volumes and financials the AFSA can interrogate.
10
Systems and record-keeping - resilient technology the AFSA can inspect and AKCESK can certify.
11
Wind-down plan - credible and documented.
01
Albanian sh.p.k. with genuine presence.
02
Licensed activity scope under the DLT law.
03
Fit & proper directors and officers.
04
Capital - as the AFSA requires.
05
AML/CFT with a named officer, GDPML reporting.
06
AKCESK technology and security certification.
07
Custody and safeguarding of tokens and coins.
08
Ownership disclosed to UBOs.
09
Business plan and source of capital the AFSA can test.
10
Resilient systems and record-keeping.
11
Credible wind-down plan.
Reflects Law No. 66/2020 and AFSA and AKCESK practice as of 2026. The DLT law is a national Albanian licence and does not passport into the EU.Law No. 66/2020 + AFSA and AKCESK practice, as of 2026. National licence, no EU passport.
How it works
From first call to the AFSA licence.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the DLT-law categories and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing against the AFSA and AKCESK requirements.DLT categories, scope, capital - in writing.
02
Albanian company and substance
Sh.p.k. incorporation, registered office, directors and the governance layer - the presence the AFSA assesses behind the file.Sh.p.k., office, directors.
03
The application file
AML/CFT framework, custody and systems documentation, business plan and capital - assembled to the AFSA's standard, with the technology prepared for AKCESK.AML, custody, plan, capital - AFSA-grade.
04
AFSA review and certification
The application and question rounds with the AFSA, alongside AKCESK certification of the technology - we carry both to the decision.Question rounds plus AKCESK certification.
05
Licence and operations
The DLT-law licence granted and the business live, with ongoing AML, custody and reporting duties we can keep running.Licence granted; ongoing duties we can run.
Quick facts
RegulatorAFSA
CertificationAKCESK
FrameworkDLT Law 66/2020
In force1 September 2020
EU statusCandidate, aligning
PassportNational licence, no EU passport
Corporate tax15%
SubstanceAlbanian company + presence
The DLT law is a defined statute with a named regulator - file quality, substance and the AKCESK technology side are what carry it through.
On the ground in Albania
Run from our Dubai office, with Albanian counsel.
Prifinance - Albania desk
Tirana · Albania
Tirana, Albania
01
Albanian incorporation
Sh.p.k. formation and the corporate layer the AFSA expects - structured for the DLT-law application.Sh.p.k. for the DLT-law application.
02
The licence file
AML/CFT framework, custody and systems documentation, business plan and capital - drafted by us and defended through the AFSA's review.AML, custody, plan, capital - to standard.
03
AKCESK certification
Security systems, key management and cyber-resilience prepared to the certification standard AKCESK applies - so the technology side clears cleanly.Security and cyber-resilience, cleared.
04
Substance and governance
Directors, compliance staffing and the local presence the licensed activity requires - assembled pragmatically.Directors, staffing, local presence.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Albania.
Company profits carry a flat 15% corporate rate - one of Europe's lower headline figures - inside an EU-candidate country whose tax framework is aligning toward EU standards over time.
15% corporate rate
Standard corporate income tax is 15% on company profits, with ordinary deductions - a clean base figure and one of the lower rates in Europe.One of Europe's lower rates.
VAT (TVSH) on domestic supplies
VAT applies to supplies within Albania in the usual way. We map it onto your activity so nothing surprises the operating model.Mapped onto activity, not assumed away.
Dividends and withholding
Dividend and withholding rules apply at the owner level and on certain payments. We model the position alongside the company rate rather than in isolation.Modelled at the owner level.
EU-alignment on transparency
As an accession candidate, Albania is moving toward EU standards on tax transparency and exchange of information. We build the structure with that direction in view.Moving toward EU standards over time.
Cross-border and treaties
Albania has a growing treaty network. Cross-border flows are structured deliberately for a business with international counterparties, not left to chance.Flows structured deliberately.
Records serve both
The AML and licence record-keeping the DLT law requires also underpins the tax position - regulator-grade books double as tax-office-grade books.Regulator-grade books serve tax too.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax15%
VAT (TVSH)On domestic supplies
Dividend / withholdingStandard rules apply
Cross-border flowsStructured deliberately
CurrencyALL (lek)
Crypto rulesVia the DLT regime
*As of 2026. Albania's tax framework is aligning toward EU standards as accession advances - we model on the current position and track changes.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Albanian company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, AFSA-licensed business.
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Albania · AFSA
Launch your crypto project in Albania with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to the AFSA licence and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Albania the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which licence scope or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Albania crypto licence, answered.
Does Albania license crypto?+
Yes - through Law No. 66/2020 on Financial Markets Based on Distributed Ledger Technology. The AFSA licenses and supervises operators, and AKCESK certifies the technology. It is a real, dedicated licence, in force since 1 September 2020.
Which activities does the licence cover?+
DLT exchanges, custody and storage of tokens and coins, token issuance through ICO and STO, the digital token agent, the innovative service provider and collective digital-token investment. We map your model to the exact categories.
Who are the regulators?+
The AFSA - the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority - handles the financial and licensing side, while AKCESK, the national authority for electronic certification and cyber-security, certifies the technology and security.
Does the licence passport into the EU?+
No. It is a national Albanian licence, not a MiCA passport. Albania is an EU-candidate country whose framework is expected to align toward EU standards over time, but the DLT law does not grant EU rights today - and we say so plainly.
How much capital is required?+
The AFSA sets capital by category and risk profile, so there is no single figure. We scope your capital against the requirements for your specific activity rather than quote a generic number.
What substance does the AFSA expect?+
An Albanian sh.p.k. with genuine local presence and management: fit-and-proper directors, a compliance function, real systems and certified technology. Substance appropriate to the licensed activity is part of a passing file.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
A flat 15% corporate rate on company profits, one of Europe's lower figures. VAT applies to domestic supplies, and the framework is aligning toward EU tax-transparency standards as accession advances.
Why Albania?+
An early, dedicated DLT statute, a named regulator plus technology certification, a 15% rate and a lower cost base - inside the European orbit, on an EU-candidate trajectory. A real, supervised licence rather than a nameplate.
Does Albania license crypto?+
Yes - Law 66/2020, AFSA licenses, AKCESK certifies.
Which activities?+
Exchange, custody, issuance, agents, services.
Who regulates?+
AFSA on finance; AKCESK on technology.
EU passport?+
No - national licence; candidate country aligning.
Capital?+
By the AFSA, by category and risk.
Substance?+
Albanian sh.p.k., real presence and compliance.
Company taxes?+
Flat 15% corporate; VAT on domestic supplies.
Why Albania?+
Early statute, lower cost, EU-candidate trajectory.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which licence scope or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Albania licence scope fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the AFSA, AKCESK or any other public authority. Licences are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.